The Evidence of Brokenness: A Path to Christ-Dependence
In the Christian life, brokenness is not a weakness to avoid but a strength to embrace. Brokenness brings us to the end of ourselves and opens the door to living in the fullness of Christ. The following list of evidences of brokenness was compiled by Grace Fellowship International and presented at a Spirituotherapy Workshop I attended in 2020. It reflects the transformative power of surrender and dependence on Christ—a life marked by humility, trust, and the power of His indwelling presence.
What Does It Mean to Be Broken?
Brokenness, in a biblical sense, is not about despair or defeat. It’s about surrendering our self-reliance and yielding to Christ as our life and source of strength. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Evidences of a Broken Life
1. Surrendering All Rights
Brokenness begins with surrender. It’s laying down our claim to control, comfort, or recognition and entrusting every aspect of our lives to God. Jesus exemplified this when He prayed in Gethsemane, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). Surrender is the foundation of a life fully yielded to Christ.
2. Willingness to Be Rejected
Brokenness enables us to endure rejection because our identity is secure in Christ. Jesus Himself was rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3), yet He remained steadfast in His mission. When we’re willing to be rejected, we demonstrate a trust in God’s approval over human validation.
3. Transparency and Vulnerability
A broken life is marked by openness—sharing weaknesses and failures without fear. Paul modeled this in 2 Corinthians 11:30 when he said, "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." Transparency allows others to see the grace of God at work in our lives, pointing them to His sufficiency.
4. A Sense of Total Inadequacy in Self-Strength
Brokenness reveals our inability to live the Christian life in our own strength. As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God."Recognizing our inadequacy leads us to rely fully on Christ.
5. Confidence in Christ’s Strength
Alongside inadequacy in ourselves comes confidence in Christ’s sufficiency. Philippians 4:13 declares, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." A broken person draws strength not from their abilities but from the indwelling life of Christ.
6. Trusting God Whatever the Circumstances
Brokenness leads to a quiet trust in God, even in the midst of external turmoil. Isaiah 26:3 promises, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." This peace is not dependent on circumstances but flows from a heart that rests in God’s sovereignty.
7. Obedience Out of Love
A broken life is motivated by love, not duty. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15). Obedience becomes a natural outflow of a heart transformed by grace, driven by a desire to please the One who loves us.
8. Recognizing Power in Weakness
Brokenness embraces the paradox of strength in weakness. When we acknowledge our frailty, we make room for God’s power to work through us (2 Corinthians 12:10). This recognition allows us to rejoice in our dependence on Him.
9. Willingness to Be Weak and to Fail
Brokenness accepts that failure is not the end but an opportunity for God to display His grace. A willingness to be weak and to fail is a sign of humility and trust in God’s redemptive power.
10. A Readiness to Let Others Receive Credit
Brokenness removes the need for recognition. Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us to "value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." This selflessness reflects the character of Christ.
11. Genuine Humility
Humility is at the heart of brokenness. It is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less, as C.S. Lewis wisely noted. 1 Peter 5:6 encourages, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
12. Valuing the Undervalued
Brokenness sees worth in those the world overlooks. Jesus demonstrated this when He reached out to tax collectors, sinners, and the marginalized. Matthew 25:40 teaches that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him.
13. Affirming and Building Others Up
A broken person seeks to encourage others, understanding that words have the power to give life. Ephesians 4:29instructs, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs."
14. A Teachable Spirit
Brokenness keeps us open to correction and growth. Proverbs 9:9 says, "Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning." A teachable spirit reflects a heart that seeks to know God more deeply.
15. Willingness to Be Out of Control
Brokenness lets go of the need to control outcomes, trusting God’s plans instead. Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
16. Willingness to Be Misunderstood
Brokenness accepts that obedience to God may not always be understood by others. Jesus Himself was misunderstood and maligned, yet He remained faithful to His mission.
17. Willingness to Be Broken Again
Brokenness is not a one-time event but a continual process of surrender. David’s prayer in Psalm 51:17 is a reminder: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Living in Brokenness
Brokenness is not about self-pity or defeat but about living in the freedom of Christ’s life within us. Each characteristic of brokenness reflects a heart that is yielded to God, trusting in His sufficiency and rejoicing in His grace. As we embrace brokenness, we grow in intimacy with Christ, allowing His life to be expressed through ours.
May we, like Paul, declare: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
Brokenness is not the end—it’s the beginning of abundant life in Christ. Let us embrace it and live as vessels of His grace and glory.